Arsenal boss Arsène Wenger is convinced his side can finish above local rivals Tottenham in the table this season

Arsène Wenger is “convinced” Arsenal will finish third this season and secure qualification into next term’s Champions League group stage.

The Gunners fell behind Tottenham in the race for third after Spurs’ draw at Sunderland on Saturday, but Wenger’s men can move back above their local rivals if they avoid defeat at home to Manchester City on Sunday.

“We have been consistent in the last two months and if we maintain that consistency there will not be many twists and turns,” said Wenger.

“You never know how easy a programme is in this Premier League because if you look at the last two months we won at Liverpool and Everton, and then lost at QPR. That was not really predictable, so it is still difficult to predict.”

Wenger added: “I am convinced we can finish third, like Tottenham are convinced they can do it. That is normal because we are at the same level of points.”